Search form

Torrential rains which fell in Salisbury Township neighborhoods in the 10 p.m. hour Nov. 2, caused severe flash flood conditions along Lehigh Street at the South Mall, overwhelming drivers and trapping occupants in waters that rose to roof level in the vehicles.

Observers said rushing waters filled the intersection from all directions, rising so rapidly that vehicles started to float and drivers could not navigate the intersection. Firefighter/rescue personnel from Western Salisbury Fire Department and Eastern Salisbury Fire Department converged on the scene shortly before 11 p.m.

It all began shortly after 4 a.m. Oct. 23, when a tractor-trailer driver with a cargo of more than 1,500 gallon containers of antifreeze pulled over to the shoulder of Interstate 78, at the Summit Lawn exit, atop South Mountain, to try and put out a small brake system fire.

With only small hand fire extinguishers, that firefighting effort didn’t turn out well and the trailer was quickly enveloped in flames.

At a press conference Oct. 22 at Salisbury High School, the Salisbury Police Department/Salisbury School District school resource officer program was recognized as one of only nine model agency programs across the nation.

At the event, Pennsylvania State Sen. Lisa Boscola, D-18th, presented a recognition plaque from the National Association of School Resource Officers to Salisbury Township Police Chief Allen Stiles.

The event was held at the beginning of National Safe Schools Week – Oct. 21-27.

Western Salisbury firefighters take their annual fire safety program into schools

In their annual effort to emphasize the importance of fire safety and fire prevention to youngsters in schools located within Salisbury Township, firefighters during the week of Oct. 8 took time from work, or other activities to assure the community’s youngest citizens are aware of ways they can help themselves and their families be fire-safe.

National Fire Prevention Week is held annually in early October near the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire.

Emmaus Police Department patrol officers were the first on-scene and reported a “working fire.”

Emmaus Fire Departments engines and crews, followed shortly by Western Salisbury Fire Department firefighters, attacked the intense fire, which had fully engulfed the structure by the time the engines arrived.

Salisbury Township Police Department officers joined with police departments in all 50 states Oct. 3 with Coffee with a Cop community outreach efforts to improve trust and build relationships – one cup of coffee at a time.

The gathering was held 1 to 3 p.m. at the Lehigh Street South Mall Starbucks store with township citizens coming and going, grabbing a complimentary cup of coffee and asking questions or making comments about police department efforts in their neighborhoods.

More than 300 friends and neighbors of the Western Salisbury Fire Department, located at the intersection of Ott Street and Green Acres Drive, attended the fire department’s annual Community Day held Sept. 15, at the department’s Swain Station and the adjacent Green Acres Park.

On Sept. 4 The Swain School dedicated its new “Field of Dreams” project, in the large expanse in front of the school campus, along South 24th Street, Salisbury Township.

The project includes a playing field, amphitheater and an environmental classroom. The field, named Werner Field, in honor of longtime Swain Director of Athletics Maggie Werner who was an early student at the school, a student parent, then an employee. Werner currently serves as the school’s director of strategic initiatives.

Priest charged with indecent assault, corruption of minor, while serving with Allentown Church

Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin at a news conference held in the Lehigh County Courthouse Aug. 21, said he had approved criminal charges against a Roman Catholic priest of the Diocese of Allentown.

Kevin Lonergan, 30, of 130 S. 25th St., Pottsville, has been charged with one count each of corruption of minors, a felony of the third degree, and indecent assault, a misdemeanor of the second degree. Lonergan was prohibited from the exercise of public ministry June 7 by decree of the Most Reverend Alfred A. Schlert, D. D., bishop of Allentown.

Having the second annual National Night Out community gathering at Salisbury Middle School, along Devonshire Road in the community’s western portion, provided a dry backup as outside activities were awash in a downpour shortly after the 6 p.m. start of the community gathering Aug. 7.

In addition to National Night Out, an annual community building campaign which promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie, the event was also a community event planned by Salisbury’s Recreation Advisory Committee member Kim Ringhoffer.